Travis Heights
By Evelyn Valdez
Quaint houses with a lot of charm are what you will find in the community of Travis Heights. Although this neighborhood is rather aged, almost anyone can feel very much at home. The houses are well taken care of and many have been renovated to accommodate modern day needs. This established neighborhood is one of Austin's first dating back to the early 1890's when it was officially annexed by the city of Austin.
If you are searching through Travis Heights for "For Sale" signs in the neighborhood, look very carefully and don't be fooled by the large "American for Peace" signs that look very similar and demonstrate the liberality of the residents. Travis Heights is known around Austin as having an eccentric and unconventional vibe. According to Carrie Bills, owner of Green Mango Real Estate and resident of Travis Heights, "the make-up of the community is very mixed and diverse".
This is not a cookie-cutter neighborhood by any means; the houses are very unlike each other and most have large backyards. Bills has been in the real estate business for 25 years and explains that the neighborhood is "mostly made up of two-bedroom and one-bath bungalows being expanded but there are also a few mansions in the area as well". Extensive front porches with different sounding wind chimes and swings hanging from huge trees are common descriptions of homes in Travis Heights.
This area is great for people who love the outdoors also; Big Stacy and Little Stacy Park have a great hike-and-bike trail with a low level of difficulty that residents can be seen jogging at in the early morning or walking their pets in the afternoon. There is also Stacy Pool that stays open year-round and jungle gym for the kids to play. "The residents here are really active and are not hesitant to take initiative," says Bills. She describes an instance where families in the neighborhood organized a summer concert to help raise money for Stacy Pool.
Families are not the only make up of Travis Heights; people with diverse backgrounds and interesting occupations such as artists, film makers, teachers, and business professionals reside here as well. When asked of what attracts people to buy a home in Travis Heights, Carrie Bills said, "the topography with hilly streets and an interesting layout brings people to this community". As you drive through the winding streets you will see many cobalt blue boxes for recycling on the curbs of a lot of homes. Speed bumps throughout the neighborhood can ensure that drivers with lead feet or noisy cars will not bother your slumber in Travis Heights.
Close proximity to South Congress's great shopping, restaurants, downtown, and Interstate 35 make Travis Heights a very popular place to live. The actual borders of Travis Heights are Riverside Dr. on the north, Interstate 35 on the east, Oltorf on the South, and South Congress Ave. on the west. Be aware that a great location also comes with a price; homes in Travis Heights range from $200,000 to $1,000,000 with the average being at $275,000. Carrie Bills says that while other neighborhoods in Austin experienced a downfall in the real estate business last year, Travis Heights held its own quite well.
Schools
Austin Independent School District
Travis Heights Elementary
Fulmore Middle School
Travis High School
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Amenities
Big Stacy Park
Little Stacy Park
First Thursday
South Congress
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Resources
Search articles mentioning
Travis Heights in the Austin
American-Statesman's archives.
Find area restaurants on Austin360
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Zone: 1B
MLS Area: C
Zip Code(s): 78704
Zip Code 78704 (primary)
Demographic Profile
Population:
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41,241
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Avg HH Size:
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2.00
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Median HH Income:
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$40,887
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Median Age
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33.0
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% Married:
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35%
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% of HHs with Children:
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18%
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% with College Degree:
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42%
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% Owner Occupied Housing
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30%
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Median Yr Dwelling was Built
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1972
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Source: Claritas 2006
South Congress provides great shopping, night life and restaurants all within proximity to Travis Heights. Every first Thursday of the month shops open their doors until 10pm which includes events and activities.
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